Space-time seismicity and earthquake swarms: Certain observations along the slow-spreading mid-Indian Ocean ridges

The slow spreading mid-Indian Ocean ridge system containing the Carlsberg, Central and Southwest Indian ridges is seismically very active. In the present study, a detailed analysis has been carried out of the data of earthquake sources along different ridge segments in order to investigate the spatial and temporal clustering patterns and to evaluate crustal processes related to the swarm occurrences along these ridges. The spatial and temporal clustering pattern of the recent earthquakes (1980–1990) pertaining to nine major spreading segments and eight fracture zones suggests that the events cluster in greater proportion along the spreading segments than along the fracture zones. We performed a systematic search of earthquake catalogue during the period 1964–1990 by examining the spatio-temporal hypocentral clusters in order to identify the swarm occurrences along these ridges. The search included eighteen prominent sequences, of which, thirteen were earthquake swarms. Except two, all other swarms were found to be occurring mainly on the spreading segments. The maximum magnitude observed in these swarms is m_b = 5.4 and have many events predominantly showing normal faulting mechanisms. The spatial disposition and temporal activity of the events in swarms is much similar to the foreshock-mainshock-aftershock sequences observed along the spreading rift valley zones. These characteristics help us to support that swarms along the slow spreading mid-Indian Ocean ridges are the result of extensional tectonic activity, leading to the development of the median valley topography, a mechanism similar to that proposed by Bergman and Solomon (1990) for the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.     

Analogue modeling of overlapping spreading centers: insights into their propagation and coalescence

The propagation and segmentation of mid-ocean ridges is studied using centrifuged analogue models built with non-linear materials. The deformation of the brittle-ductile model is controlled by diapiric uprise of buoyant analogous asthenospheric material induced by a centrifugal body force. This linear upwelling laterally stretches the model mantle that, in turn, induces failure in the upper layer simulating the brittle crust. Arrays of fractures initiate within zones of high stress concentration above the diapir. Fractures propagate laterally in a direction perpendicular to the maximum tensile (the minimum principal) stress. Secondary tension cracks initiate in the vicinity of parent fracture tips. Through-going fractures that crosscut the model surface develop by short fractures propagating toward each other and coalescing in different types of patterns. The overlap, overstep and inclination of fractures developed at the initial stage of extension control their subsequent growth and coalescence. Non-overlapping sub-parallel fractures propagate along nearly straight paths and coalesce to produce a single planar fracture. If overlapping fractures are parallel, they propagate towards each other along curved paths that enclose an intervening elliptical core of intact material. Fracture curvature in this case results from crack–crack interaction and is similar to that of overlapping spreading centers (OSCs) observed along mid-ocean ridges. Overlapping non-parallel fractures tend to coalesce by one of their tips propagating sub-parallel to the spreading direction toward the other fracture. Such offsets can serve as models for the development of the orthogonal ridge-transform fault patterns common along mid-ocean ridges.     

Experiments on rift zone evolution in unstable volcanic edifices

Large ocean island volcanoes frequently develop productive rift zones located close to unstable flanks and sites of older major sector collapses. Flank deformation is often caused by slip along a décollement within or underneath the volcanic edifice. We studied how such a stressed volcanic flank may bias the rift zone development. The influence of basal lubrication and lateral flank creep on rift development and rift migration is still poorly constrained by field evidence; here our analog experiments provide new insights. We injected colored water into gelatin cones and found systematic orientations of hydro-fractures (dikes) propagating through the cones. At the base of the cone, diverse friction conditions were simulated. By variation of the basal creep conditions we modeled radial dike swarms, collinear rift zones and three-armed rift systems. It is illustrated that a single outward-creeping flank is sufficient to modify the entire rift architecture of a volcano. The experiments highlight the general unsteadiness of dike swarms and that the distribution and alteration of weak substratum may become a major player in shaping a volcano’s architecture.     

Seismically induced landslide at Degirmendere Nose, Izmit Bay during Kocaeli (Izmit)-Turkey earthquake

This paper presents a study on the analyses of seismically induced landslide at Degirmendere Nose during the 1999 Kocaeli (Izmit)-Turkey earthquake. The paper discusses: (1) observed ground deformations and displacements after the earthquake, (2) the results of field investigations by means of borings and in situ index tests including standard penetration tests, static cone penetration tests (CPT) and piezocone tests, (3) analyses of observed landslide mechanisms by a suite of methods and (4) potential effects of soil liquefaction rupture on the observed landslide mechanism.     

建立滑坡外部变形测边三维监测网的探讨

在建立滑坡外部变形测边三维监测网的探讨中，推导出了变形向量的解算公式，并给出了精度估算公式。同时，简要分析了建立高精度的测边三维监测网的两个关键问题，即最优构形和精密光波测距。最后，通过实例论证了建立滑坡外部变形三维监测网的可行性。     

应用有限单元法恢复冲绳海槽和付加体古构造应力场及其意义

冲绳海槽是欧亚板块内大陆地壳的扩张作用所形成的一个弧后盆地。以弹性学原理和库仑—莫尔准则为基础,应用二维(2D)有限单元法模拟大陆岩石圈上部的构造应力场和断层发育状况。模型中使用两种位移边界条件,并采用平面应变条件进行计算。扩张位移边界条件加载于冲绳海槽内大陆地壳的底部,俯冲位移边界条件加载于菲律宾海板块的俯冲带。数学模拟的结果表明,大陆地壳底部的扩张作用使得冲绳海槽内发育正断层,最后导致冲绳海槽这一弧后盆地的形成。菲律宾海板块的俯冲作用引起欧亚板块付加体中形成逆掩断层。     

多尺度面实体的匹配方法研究

从多尺度面实体匹配的需要出发,分析地图综合所引起的一对多、多对多匹配关系,以及不同地图综合算子给同名实体所造成的差异,将一对一匹配关系的几何相似性度量模型和非一对一匹配关系的基于重叠度的面实体匹配方法相结合,采用指标阈值自动确定方法,建立一种新的适用多尺度变化的面实体匹配方法。最后以多个比例尺的居民地为实验对象,验证本方法的可行性和有效性。     

Asymmetric seafloor spreading and short ridge jumps in the Australian-Antarctic discordance

The crenulated geometry of the Southeast Indian ridge within the Australian-Antarctic discordance is formed by numerous spreading ridge segments that are offset, alternately to the north and south, by transform faults. Suggested causes for these offsets, which largely developed since ~ 20 Ma, include asymmetric seafloor spreading, ridge jumps, and propagating rifts that have transferred seafloor from one flank of the spreading ridge to the other. Each of these processes has operated at different times in different locations of the discordance; here we document an instance where a small (~ 20 km), young (< 0.2 Ma), southward ridge jump has contributed to the observed asymmetry. When aeromagnetic anomalies from the Project Investigator-1 survey are superposed on gravity anomalies computed from Geosat GM and ERM data, we find that in segment B4 of the discordance (between 125° and 126° E), the roughly east-west-trending gravity low, correlated with the axial valley, is 20–25 km south of the ridge axis position inferred from the center of magnetic anomaly 1. Elsewhere in the discordance, the inferred locations of the ridge axis from magnetics and gravity are in excellent agreement. Ship track data confirm these observations: portions of Moana Wave track crossing the ridge in B4 show that a topographic valley correlated with the gravity anomaly low lies south of the center of magnetic anomaly 1; while other ship track data that cross the spreading ridge in segments B3 and B5 demonstrate good agreement between the axial valley, the gravity anomaly low, and the central magnetic anomaly. Based on these observations, we speculate that the ridge axis in B4 has recently jumped to the south, from a ridge location closer to the center of the young normally magnetized crust, to that of the gravity anomaly low. The position of the gravity low essentially at the edge of normally magnetized crust requires a very recent (< 0.2 Ma) arrival of the ridge in this new location. Because this ridge jump is so young, it may be a promising location for future detailed studies of the dynamics, kinematics, and thermal effects of ridge jumps.The U.S. Government right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty-free license in and to any copyright is acknowledged.     

Rifting characteristics of eastern subbasin of South China Sea and its spreading pattern

With processing and interpretation of 25 000 km full-coverage multibeam swath data fromthe eastern South China Sea, it is found that NE-trending and NW-trending linear morphological features such as scarps, horsts and grabens, govern the central part (14°- 17° N) of eastern subbasin. Compared with reflection seismic profiles, these NE-trending linear morpho-structures are considered to be the representation of basement structures on seabed and can be divided into three linear structural zones. The trend of the central zone is NE45°-50° occurring around extinct spreading center, the trend of the second zone is NE70° - 78° on both sides of the central one and the trend of the third zone is about NE60° just on the north of the second one. These three NE-trending linear zones are formed in late-stage NW - SE-trending seafloor spreading of the eastern subbasin along NW-trending linear faults, and respectively correspond to three spreading episodes: 17.0- 19.0 Ma (5d-5e), 19.0 - 21.0 Ma (5e-6a) and 21.0     

南海北部地球物理特征及地壳结构

为了研究南海地壳结构，中国和日本合作在南海北部首次进行了以炸药为震源的综合地球物理调查。经初步分析其地壳结构主要特征为：南海北部地壳分为沉积层、上地壳层、中地壳层及下地壳层。大陆架及上陆坡地壳厚度大、稳定。下陆坡地壳厚度除中地壳外，其他壳层厚度减薄且不稳定。深海盆地壳分３层，厚度虽薄但相对稳定，其底部缺失７．３ｋｍ·ｓ－１的高速层。测区内地壳总厚度：陆壳２６—３０ｋｍ，过渡壳１３—２２ｋｍ，洋壳为８ｋｍ。